Rain in Himachal plays spoilsport for crops,vegetable prices soar

Prices of peas,cauliflower and beans have nearly doubled over the last ten days. Peas are selling at Rs 160 per kg at the local markets and cauliflower is touching the Rs 100 per kg mark after last week.

Prices of peas,cauliflower and beans have nearly doubled over the last ten days. Peas are selling at Rs 160 per kg at the local markets and cauliflower is touching the Rs 100 per kg mark after last week.

Vegetables prices are on a steady increase owing to rains in Himachal Pradesh,with the recently inflated fuel prices adding to the woes of the transporters.

Prices of peas,cauliflower and beans have nearly doubled over the last ten days. Peas are selling at Rs 160 per kg at the local markets and cauliflower is touching the Rs 100 per kg mark after last weeks escalation of Rs 50 per kg. Ladyfinger is now selling at Rs 60 per kg,registering an increase of Rs 35 over the last few days. In the Apni Mandi,tomato,potato and onion are selling at between Rs 15 and Rs 20 per kg.

The imports from Himachal Pradesh have become more expensive after the crop loss that occurred because of the incessant rains. Now,the increased fuel prices have resulted in a decline in the arrival from the state,leading to a further escalation of costs.

The large produce of apples this season,however,is of use now that the prices of other commodities from HP are becoming rare and dear. Apple cultivation is concentrated in areas of Lahaul and Spiti in HP,that have also received rainfall but it will not affect the prices here as the first lot from Jammu and Kashmir has already arrived, says Gurwinder Singh,Mandi Supervisor at Grain Market 26.

The costs are estimated to hover near the higher side even in the upcoming days. The vegetables,though average in quality,are priced higher at this time of the year. The situation will be eased in November,though,when Punjab will yield its seasonal produce, says former president of Sabzi Mandi Arthiya Association Dig Vijay Kapoor

Residents express their helplessness and lack of choice. The prices of vegetables are always fluctuating in the monsoon season because of less or more rains. If it is one or two vegetables,then we can limit the intake,but at this time,all vegetables are expensive that leaves us with no option but to settle for the lower quality produce, says Pooja,a housewife in Sector 43.